Also Designates 29 May as International Day of UN Peacekeepers

The General Assembly this morning adopted 27 resolutions and three decisions -- all but two recommended by its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) -- on a wide-range of agenda items, including decolonization, information, atomic radiation, the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and Israeli practices in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Five of the resolutions adopted today related to the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories. Seven more texts focused on the work of UNRWA.

The Assembly demanded that Israel cooperate with the Special Committee in carrying out its mandate under a text on the work of the Committee, adopted by a recorded vote of 86 in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 66 abstentions. (For details of the vote, see Annex VII.)

In a related text, the Assembly demanded that Israel cease all practices and actions that violated the human rights of the Palestinian people. It took that action by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with

Under a related text on Israeli settlements, the Assembly reaffirmed that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan are illegal and an obstacle to peace and socio-economic development. It reiterated its demand for the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, including the construction of the settlement in Jabal Abu Ghneim.

That resolution was adopted by a vote of 154 in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with

According to a text on the applicability of the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons during time of war, the Assembly reaffirmed that the Convention is applicable to the occupied Palestinian territory and demanded that Israel accept the de jure applicability of the Convention and comply scrupulously with its provisions.

That resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 3 abstentions (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu). (See Annex VIII.)

By the terms of a draft on the occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly called upon Israel to comply with relevant resolutions on the occupied Syrian Golan, in particular Security Council resolution 497 (1981), in which it decided that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan was null and void and without international legal effect.

That resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 1 against (Israel) with 9 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States, Vanuatu) (Annex XI).

On the work of UNRWA, the Assembly adopted a resolution by which it called upon Israel to cease obstructing the movement of the Agency's personnel, vehicles and supplies, as well as the levying of extra fees and charges, which have had a detrimental impact on the Agency's operations.

Adopting the text by 155 in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu), the Assembly urged the Government of Israel to compensate UNRWA for damage to its property and facilities resulting from Israeli actions (see Annex IV).

A text on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities, adopted by a vote of 155 in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 3 abstentions (Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands), had the Assembly reaffirm the right of all such persons to return to their homes or former places of residence in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 (see Annex II).

By a further text, on assistance to Palestine refugees, the Assembly noted with regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees, as provided for in its resolution 194 (III), has not yet been effected and that the situation of the Palestine refugees continues to be a matter of concern. The Assembly also affirmed the necessity for continuing UNRWA's work and, in that context, called upon all donors to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of the Agency, including recent emergency appeals. The text was adopted by a recorded

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vote of 158 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 5 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States) (see Annex I).

Under a related text, adopted without a vote, the Assembly requested the Working Group on UNRWA's financing to continue its efforts, in cooperation with the Secretary-General and the Commissioner-General, to find a solution to the Agency's financial situation.

Also concerning the Palestine refugees, the Assembly reiterated its previous appeals to all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue and to augment the special allocations for grants and scholarships to Palestine refugees, in addition to their contributions to UNRWA's regular budget, under a text adopted by a vote of 164 in favour to none against, with 1 abstention (Israel) (see Annex III).

Under the terms of a resolution on Palestine refugees' properties and their revenues, the Assembly reaffirmed that the refugees are entitled to their property and to income derived therefrom and urged the Palestinian and Israeli sides, as agreed between them, to deal with the important issue of Palestine refugees' properties and their revenues in the framework of the final status negotiations of the Middle East peace process. The text was adopted by a vote of 159 in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Nauru, Solomon Islands) (see Annex V).

According to a resolution on the University of Jerusalem "Al-Quds" for Palestine refugees, the Assembly emphasized the need for strengthening the educational system in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 5 June 1967, including Jerusalem, and specifically the need for the establishment of the proposed university. The text was adopted by a vote of 155 in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu) (see

Annex VI).

Acting on several information-related texts without a vote, the Assembly adopted a wide-ranging draft resolution welcoming the ongoing comprehensive review of the Department of Public Information (DPI) and its progress towards a new "evaluation culture" of increased performance management. It emphasized that, through its reorientation, the Department should maintain and improve its activities in the areas of special interest to developing countries and others with special needs, including countries in transition. The reorientation should contribute to bridging the existing gap between the developing and developed countries in the crucial public information and communications field.

On the issue of multilingualism and public information, the Assembly emphasized the importance of ensuring the full, equitable treatment of all official languages in all of DPI's activities, reaffirmed its request to the Secretary-General to ensure that the DPI had appropriate staffing capacity in all official languages, and reminded him of the need to include, in the Department's future programme budget proposals, the importance of using all official languages.

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Other provisions of the text concerned: the multilingual development and enrichment of the Web site, including the possibility of organizational restructuring towards language units in the six official languages; the United Nations information centres and the possibility of creating regional information centre "hubs" especially -- but not exclusively -- in areas where linguistic commonalties facilitate regionalization; and radio as one of the most cost-effective and far-reaching traditional means available to the Department and an important instrument in United Nations activities.

By the terms of a resolution on information in the service of humanity, the Assembly urged all countries, the United Nations system and all others concerned to cooperate and interact to reduce existing disparities in information flows, by increasing assistance for communication infrastructures and capabilities in developing countries.

According to a draft decision on the increase in the membership of the Committee on Information, the Assembly decided to appoint Saudi Arabia as a member of that Committee, thereby increasing its membership from 98 to 99.

On decolonization, the Assembly, in a direct action, adopted a resolution on the Implementation of the Declaration of the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, by which it reaffirmed that the existence of colonialism in any form or manifestation, including economic exploitation, is incompatible with the United Nations Charter, the Decolonization Declaration and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The vote was 139 in favour to 3 against (Federated States of Micronesia, United Kingdom, United States), with 19 abstentions (see Annex XVII).

In a second direct action, the Assembly approved the activities in the field of dissemination of information on decolonization by the DPI and the Department of Political Affairs. It asked the two Departments to continue to take measures through all the media available, including through publications, radio and television, as well as the Internet, to give publicity to the work of the United Nations in that field. That text was adopted by a recorded vote of 154 in favour to 4 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 2 abstentions (France, Netherlands) (see Annex XVI).

By a recorded vote of 156 in favour to none against, with 8 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, France, Israel, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Palau, United Kingdom, United States), the Assembly adopted a text on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter requesting the administering Powers concerned to transmit to the Secretary-General the fullest possible information on political and constitutional developments in the Territories concerned. (See Annex XII.)

Under a resolution on economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, the Assembly decided to follow the situation of the Territories so as to ensure that all economic activities there were aimed at strengthening and diversifying their economies in the interest of their peoples, including the indigenous populations,

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and at promoting the economic and financial viability of those Territories. The text was adopted by a vote of 156 in favour to 3 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, United States), with 3 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, France, United Kingdom) (see Annex XIII).

Under a related text, the Assembly requested the specialized agencies, as well as international and regional organizations, to examine and review conditions in each Territory so as to take appropriate measures to accelerate progress in their economic and social sectors. It was adopted by a vote of 111 in favour to none against, with 51 abstentions (see Annex XV).

The Assembly deplored the continued alienation of land in colonial and Non-Self-Governing Territories, particularly in the small island Territories of the Pacific and Caribbean regions, for military installations, according to a decision on military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration, adopted by a vote of 106 in favour to 53 against, with 1 abstention (Tonga) (see Annex XIV).

In other action today, the Assembly, acting without a vote, adopted a consolidated text on small Non-Self-Governing Territories. By the first part of that text, it called upon the administering Powers, in cooperation with the territorial governments, to facilitate political education programmes in the Territories to foster awareness of the right to self-determination.

The second part of the consolidated text focused on individual Territories, including American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.

Acting without a vote, the Assembly also adopted three resolutions on the questions of Western Sahara, New Caledonia and Tokelau, respectively, as well as a decision on the question of Gibraltar.

Other resolutions adopted without a vote were on: the effects of atomic radiation; international cooperation for the peaceful uses of outer space; and the report of the Credentials Committee. A further text designated 29 May as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

The Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), Andrej Droba (Slovakia), introduced that body's reports.

The representatives of Iran, Argentina, United States and the United Kingdom spoke in explanation of vote. The representative of the United Kingdom spoke in exercise of the right of reply.

The Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow to continue its consideration of oceans and the law of the sea.

Background

When the General Assembly met this morning, it was expected to take action on the draft resolutions and draft decisions contained in reports submitted by the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).

Topics addressed in those reports include the effects of atomic radiation (item 74); international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (item 75); the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (item 76); Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories (item 77); comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (item 78); and questions relating to information (item 79).

Decolonization issues before the Assembly include: information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (item 80); economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (item 81); implementation of the Decolonization Declaration by the United Nations specialized agencies and associated international institutions (item 82); offers by Member States of

study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories (item 83); and implementation of the Decolonization Declaration (item 19).

Fourth Committee Reports

By the terms of a draft resolution contained in the report on the effects of atomic radiation (document A/57/518), the Assembly would commend the Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation for the valuable contribution it had been making for the past 47 years to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation and for fulfilling its original mandate with scientific authority and independence of judgement.

According to the text, the Assembly would request the Scientific Committee to continue its work, including important activities to increase knowledge of levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources. It would endorse the Scientific Committee's plans for its future activities of scientific review and assessment on behalf of the General Assembly.

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would request the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to continue providing support for the effective conduct of the Scientific Committee and for the dissemination of its findings to the Assembly, the scientific community and the public. Further, the Assembly would urge UNEP to review and strengthen present funding of the Scientific Committee, pursuant to paragraph 7 of resolution 56/60, so that the Committee could discharge the responsibilities and mandate entrusted to it. It would also recognize the need for holding regular sessions of the Scientific Committee on an annual basis.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 15 October without a vote.

By the terms of a draft resolution on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (document A/57/519), the Assembly would reaffirm the importance of international cooperation in developing the rule of law, including the relevant norms of space law and their important role in international cooperation for the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

According to the text, the Assembly would endorse the recommendation of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space that the Legal Subcommittee, at its forty-second session, consider, among other things, the status and application of the five United Nations treaties on outer space; the definition and delimitation of outer space; and the character and utilization of the geostationary orbit, including ways to ensure its equitable use without prejudice to the role of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would endorse the Committee's recommendation that the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, at its fortieth session, consider, among other things, the United Nations Programme on Space Applications; matters relating to remote sensing of the Earth by satellite; the use of nuclear power sources in outer space; and space debris.

Also according to the text, the Assembly would urge all governments, entities of the United Nations system and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to take the necessary action for the effective implementation of the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) recommendations, in particular, its resolution entitled, "The Space Millennium: Vienna Declaration on Space and Human Development". It would also request the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-eight session on the implementation of the UNISPACE III recommendations.

By further terms, the Assembly would note with satisfaction the work conducted by 11-action teams established by the Committee at its forty-fourth session to implement the UNISPACE III recommendations and agree that Member States should provide full support to those teams in conducting their work. The Assembly would also note with satisfaction that the Committee had started to prepare a report in order for the Assembly to review and appraise, at its fifty-ninth session, in 2004, the implementation of the outcome of UNISPACE III. In that context, it would also agree that the working group established by the Committee to prepare that report should be reconvened at the Committee's forty-sixth session.

Also according to the text, the Assembly would recommend that more attention be paid and political support be provided to all matters relating to the protection and preservation of the outer space environment, especially those affecting the Earth's environment. The Assembly would also consider it essential that Member States pay more attention to the problem of collisions of outer space debris, including those with nuclear power sources. It would call for national research on the matter, as well as the development of improved technology for the monitoring of space debris.

Also by the text, the Assembly would agree that the benefits of space technology and its applications should be brought to the attention of United Nations conferences to address global issues relating to social, economic and cultural development, and that the use of space technology should be promoted towards achieving the objectives of those conferences and implementing the Millennium Declaration. It would also urge United Nations entities, particularly those participating in the Inter-Agency Meeting on Outer Space Activities, to examine how space science and technology could contribute to the implementation of the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Summit's Implementation Plan.

By further terms of the text, taking note of Algeria's interest in and contributions to the work of the Committee and its request to become a member of the Committee, the Assembly would decide, on an exceptional basis, to accept its membership in accordance with paragraph 41 of General Assembly resolution 56/51. The Assembly would also welcome the interest of Libya in Committee membership and the endorsement of its candidature by the Group of African States. It would request the Committee to continue constructive consideration of the matter during its next session, taking into account the principle of consensus.

The Committee approved that text on 9 October without a vote.

UNRWA Drafts

The Assembly also had before it seven draft resolutions on the work of UNRWA (document A/57/520).

By the terms of draft resolution I on assistance to Palestine refugees, the Assembly would note with regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees, as provided for in its resolution 194 (III), has not yet been effected and that the situation of the Palestine refugees continues to be a matter of concern. It would also note with regret that the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine has been unable to find a means of achieving progress in the implementation of that resolution. The Assembly would also request the Commission to exert continued efforts towards its implementation and to report to the Assembly no later than 1 September 2003.

By further terms, the Assembly would affirm the necessity for the continuation of UNRWA's work and the importance of its operation and services for the well-being of the Palestine refugees and for the stability of the region pending resolution of the question of Palestine refugees. It would call upon all donors to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of the Agency, including recent emergency appeals.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 15 November by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 3 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, United States).

By draft resolution II on the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA, the Assembly would request the Working Group to continue its efforts, in cooperation with the Secretary-General and the Commissioner-General, to find a solution to the Agency's financial situation. It would also request the Secretary-General to provide the necessary services and assistance to the Working Group for the conduct of its work.

The Committee approved that text on 15 November without a vote.

According to the terms of draft resolution III on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities, the Assembly would reaffirm the right of all persons displaced as a result of those hostilities to return to their homes or former places of residence in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967. It would express deep concern that the mechanism agreed upon by the parties in article XII of the 1993 Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements on the return of displaced persons has not been effected, and stress the necessity for an accelerated return of displaced persons.

Further, the Assembly would endorse, in the meanwhile, the efforts of the Commissioner-General to continue to provide humanitarian assistance, as far as practicable, on an emergency basis, and as a temporary measure, to persons in the area who are currently displaced and in serious need of continued assistance as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities. It would also strongly appeal to governments, organizations and individuals to generously contribute to the Agency and to other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 15 November by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to 4 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States), with 3 abstentions (Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea).

By draft resolution IV on offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for higher education, including vocational training, for Palestine refugees, the Assembly would reiterate its previous appeals to all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to continue and to augment the special allocations for grants and scholarships to Palestine refugees, in addition to their contributions to UNRWA's regular budget. It would appeal to those entities to extend assistance for higher education to Palestine refugee students and to contribute towards the establishment of vocational training centres for Palestine refugees. The Agency would be requested to act as recipient and trustee for the special allocations for grants and scholarships.

Also by the text, the Assembly would appeal to all States, specialized agencies and the United Nations University to generously contribute to the Palestinian universities in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including, in due course, the proposed University of Jerusalem "Al-Quds" for Palestine refugees.

The Committee also approved that text on 15 November by a recorded vote of 153 in favour to none against, with 1 abstention (Israel).

Draft resolution V on the operations of UNRWA would have the Assembly call upon Israel to comply fully with the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949. It would also call upon Israel to abide by Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the United Nations Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations regarding the safety of the Agency's personnel, the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security of its facilities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

By other terms of the text, the Assembly would urge the Government of Israel to compensate the Agency for damage to its property and facilities resulting from actions by the Israeli side, particularly during the reporting period (1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002).

The Assembly would also call upon Israel to cease obstructing the movement of the Agency's personnel, vehicles and supplies and to cease the levying of extra fees and charges, which have a detrimental impact on the Agency's operations. It would also request the Commissioner-General to proceed with the issuance of identification cards for Palestinian refugees and their descendants in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Also by the draft, the Assembly would urge all States, specialized agencies and NGOs to increase their contribution to the Agency so as to ease the ongoing financial constraints, which have been exacerbated by the current humanitarian situation on the ground, and to support the Agency's work in providing assistance to the Palestine refugees.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 15 November by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, United States), with 1 abstention (Papua New Guinea).

Under the terms of draft resolution VI on Palestine refugees' properties and their revenues, the Assembly would reaffirm that the Palestinian refugees are entitled to their property and to income derived therefrom, in conformity with the principles of equity and justice. It would also request the Secretary-General to take all appropriate steps, in consultation with the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine, for the protection of Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel.

By further terms, the Assembly would call once again upon Israel to render all facilities and assistance to the Secretary-General in the implementation of the present resolution. The Assembly would also urge the Palestinian and Israeli sides, as agreed between them, to deal with the important issue of Palestine refugees' properties and their revenues in the framework of the final status negotiations of the Middle East peace process.

The Committee approved that text on 15 November by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to 4 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States), with 3 abstentions (Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea).

Draft resolution VII on the University of Jerusalem "Al-Quds" for Palestine refugees would have the Assembly emphasize the need for strengthening the educational system in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 5 June 1967, including Jerusalem, and specifically the need for the establishment of the proposed university.

The Assembly would call once again upon Israel to cooperate in the implementation of the present resolution and to remove the hindrances that it has put in the way of establishing the University of Jerusalem "Al-Quds", by other terms of that text.

The draft was approved on 15 November by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 4 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States), with 2 abstentions (Nauru, Papua New Guinea).

Israeli Practices

The Assembly had before it five draft resolutions on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/57/521).

By draft resolution I on the work of the Special Committee, the Assembly would reiterate its demand that Israel cooperate with the Special Committee in implementing its mandate. It would deplore those policies and practices which violate the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories, as reflected in the reports of the Special Committee covering the reporting period.

By other terms, the Assembly would express grave concern about the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as a result of Israeli practices and measures. It would especially condemn the excessive and indiscriminate use of force since 28 September 2000, which has resulted in almost 2,000 Palestinian deaths and tens of thousands of injuries.

Also by the text, the Assembly would request the Special Committee, pending complete termination of the Israeli occupation, to investigate Israeli policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, especially Israeli violations of the 1949 Geneva Convention. It would also consult, as appropriate, with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to ensure that the welfare and human rights of the peoples of the occupied territories are safeguarded.

The Assembly would further request the Special Committee to continue to investigate the treatment of prisoners and detainees in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967.

The Committee approved that draft on 15 November by a recorded vote of 82 in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, United States), with 62 abstentions.

Under the provisions of draft resolution II on the applicability of the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons during time of war, the Assembly would reaffirm that the Convention is applicable to the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967. The Assembly would demand that Israel accept the de jure applicability of the Convention in the occupied territories and that it comply scrupulously with its provisions.

By other terms, the Assembly would call upon all States parties to the Convention to exert all efforts to ensure respect for its provisions by Israel in the territories occupied by Israel. It would reiterate the need for speedy implementation of the relevant recommendations contained in the tenth General Assembly emergency special session with regard to ensuring respect by Israel for the Convention's provisions.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 15 November by a recorded vote of 145 votes in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, United States),with 2 abstentions (Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu).

According to draft resolution III on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly would reaffirm that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan are illegal and an obstacle to peace and socio-economic development. It would also call upon Israel to accept the de jure applicability of the 1949 Geneva Convention to the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and to the occupied Syrian Golan, and to scrupulously abide by its provisions.

By other terms, the Assembly would reiterate its demand for the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, including the construction of the settlement in Jabal Abu Ghneim. It would stress the need for full implementation of Security Council resolution 904 (1994), which called upon Israel to implement measures, including confiscation of arms, with the aim of preventing illegal acts of violence by Israeli settlers, and called for measures to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians. It would also reiterate its call for the prevention of all acts of violence by Israeli settlers, particularly in light of recent developments.

The text was approved on 15 November by a recorded vote of 145 in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Tuvalu, United States),with 1 abstention (Papua New Guinea).

By draft resolution IV on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, the Assembly would demand that Israel cease all practices and actions that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people. It would also demand that Israel comply fully with the provisions of the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention and cease immediately all measures and actions taken in violation of the Convention, including extrajudiciary executions.

The Assembly would, by further terms of the text, condemn all acts of violence, including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction, especially the excessive use of force by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians, resulting in extensive loss of life, vast numbers of injuries and massive destruction.

By other terms, the Assembly would also condemn the recent events that have taken place in the Jenin refugee camp, including the loss of life, injury, destruction and displacement inflicted on many of its civilian inhabitants. It would demand that Israel cease all practices and actions that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people.

Also, the Assembly would stress the need to preserve the territorial integrity of all the occupied Palestinian territory and to guarantee the freedom of movement of persons and goods within the Palestinian territory, including the removal of restrictions on movement into and from East Jerusalem, and to and from the outside world.

The text was approved on 15 November by a recorded vote of 141 in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, United States), with 2 abstentions (Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu).

By the terms of draft resolution V on the occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly would call upon Israel to comply with relevant resolutions on the occupied Syrian Golan, in particular Security Council resolution 497 (1981), in which the Council decided that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan was null and void and without international legal effect. It would also call upon Israel to desist from changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan and, in particular, to desist from the establishment of settlements.

By further terms, the Assembly would determine that all legislative and administrative measures taken by Israel that purport to alter the character and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan are null and void, constitute a flagrant violation of international law and of the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilians in time of war. It would also call upon Israel to desist from imposing Israeli citizenship and Israeli identity cards on the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan and from taking repressive measures against the population.

The Committee approved the draft on 15 November by a recorded vote of 144 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 7 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, United States).

Peacekeeping

The Assembly had before it the report of the Fourth Committee on the comprehensive review of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (document A/57/522), which describes the Committee's consideration of the item during its fifty-seventh session.

By the terms of the draft resolution contained in the report, the Assembly decided to designate 29 May as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. The International Day would be observed annually to pay tribute to all men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage. It would also honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

The Committee approved that text without a vote on 24 October.

Information

Also before the Committee were two draft resolutions and a draft decision on questions relating to information (document A/57/523).

Draft resolution A -- Information in the service of humanity -- would have the Assembly urge all countries, the United Nations system and all others concerned to cooperate and interact to reduce existing disparities in information flows, by increasing assistance for communication infrastructures and capabilities in developing countries. This should be done with due regard to the needs and priorities of those countries, and in order to enable them to develop their own information and communication policies.

The Assembly would urge all concerned to ensure that journalists have the opportunity to freely and effectively perform their professional tasks, and condemn all attacks against them. They would also be urged to provide support for the strengthening of practical training programmes for broadcasters and journalists in developing countries. Regional efforts and cooperation among developing countries, and between developed and developing countries, would be sought to strengthen communication capacities and to improve the media infrastructure and communication technology, especially in training and information dissemination.

Among other things, the Assembly would seek all possible support and assistance for: the development of human and technical resources indispensable for improvement of information and communications systems in developing countries; the creation of conditions that will enable developing countries to have communication technology suited to their needs; establishing and promoting telecommunication links at the subregional, regional and interregional levels; and the facilitation of developing countries' access to advanced communication technology available on the open market.

By draft resolution B of the text --United Nations public information policies and activities -- the General Assembly would concur with the Secretary-General on the need to enhance the technological infrastructure of the Department of Public Information (DPI) to widen its outreach, as well as to improve the United Nations Web site. The Assembly would also reaffirm that the DPI is the focal point for information policies of the United Nations and the primary news centre for information about the Organization and its activities and those of the Secretary-General.

Also by the text, the Assembly would encourage:

-- A closer integration of functions between the DPI and those offices providing spokesman services for the Secretary-General;

-- The Secretary-General to strengthen the coordination between the DPI and other Secretariat departments, and underline that public information capacities and activities in other departments should function under the guidance of the DPI; and

-- The DPI to continue to work within the United Nations Communications Group to coordinate implementation of communications strategies with the heads of information of United Nations agencies, funds and programmes.

Further by the text, the Assembly would request the Committee on Information to thoroughly examine the comprehensive review once it had been finalized and to submit its recommendations thereon to the Assembly. It would also stress the importance of respecting the principal competence of the Committee to undertake the examination and submit recommendations prior to the consideration of the review by any other body. It would call on Member States to ensure that recommendations relating to the Department's programme of work originate and are considered in the Committee.

Also, the DPI would be urged to continue to exhibit transparency to increase awareness of the impact of its programmes and activities. The Assembly would, in addition, request the Department to continue consultations with the Committee prior to taking any decision on the possible changing of its title.

Concerning the issuance of daily press releases, the Assembly would request the Department to continue providing this service to both Member States and media representatives, while considering possible means of improving their production process and streamlining their format.

In the area of multilingualism, the Assembly would reaffirm its request to the Secretary-General to ensure that the DPI has appropriate staffing capacity in all official languages of the United Nations to undertake all its activities. It would remind him of the need to include in the Department's future budget proposals on the importance of using all six official languages in its activities.

Regarding the United Nations information centres, the Assembly would emphasize that, as the "field voice" of the DPI, United Nations information centres should promote public awareness and mobilize support for the work of the United Nations at the local level, bearing in mind that information in the local languages has the strongest impact on the local populations. It would request the Secretary-General to include in his comprehensive review the results of the ongoing review by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) on the matter and information on DPI's involvement in the United Nations Houses initiative.

Also, the Assembly would recall the appeal made by the Secretary-General to the host governments of United Nations information centres to facilitate the work of the centres in their countries by providing rent-free or rent-subsidized premises, while taking into account the economic condition of the host governments, and bearing in mind that such support should not be a substitute for the full allocation of financial resources for United Nations information centres in the context of the United Nations programme budget.

By further terms, the Assembly would note the possibility of creating regional information centre "hubs", especially but not exclusively in areas where linguistic commonalties facilitate regionalization, and stress the need for the Committee to consider a set of proposed guidelines and criteria relating to the advisability of implementing this option. It would also stress that the creation of any such "hubs" -- subject to the Assembly endorsing these guidelines and criteria -- should take place in a flexible manner, if feasible, on a case-by-case basis and only with the approval of all host countries concerned.

In other action, the Assembly would request the DPI to continue its efforts to strengthen its capacity to contribute significantly to the functioning of information components in United Nations peacekeeping operations, including through the development of a coherent information strategy with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

The Assembly would also stress the importance of enhancing DPI's public information capacity in the field of peacekeeping operations and its role in the selection process of spokespersons for peacekeeping operations or missions, and encourage the DPI to second spokespersons who have the necessary skills to fulfil the tasks of the operations or missions, and to consider views expressed, especially by host countries in that regard.

Regarding traditional means of communications, the Assembly would stress that radio remains one of the most cost-effective and far-reaching traditional media available to the DPI and an important instrument in United Nations activities, such as development and peacekeeping. It would look forward to the report of the Secretary-General to be submitted to the Committee at its twenty-fifth session on the implementation of the United Nations international radio broadcasting capacity, in order for the Committee to decide on the future of this capacity.

In addition, the Assembly would reiterate that all the DPI publications should fulfil an identifiable need, not duplicate other publications of the United Nations system and be produced in a cost-effective manner. In that regard, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to include in his comprehensive review the relevant results of the larger review of United Nations publications and information materials called for by the Assembly in its resolution 56/253.

Concerning the United Nations Web site, the Assembly would stress the need to adopt a decision on the multilingual development, maintenance and enrichment of the Web site, considering, among other things, the possibility of organizational restructuring towards separate language units of each of the six official languages within the DPI to achieve full parity among the official languages of the United Nations.

It would reaffirm its request to the Secretary-General to ensure, until such a decision has been taken and implemented, the equitable distribution of financial and human resources within the DPI allocated to the Web site among all official languages on a continuous basis, and to make every possible effort to ensure that all materials contained on the Web site that do not change and do not need regular maintenance are made available in all six official languages.

In addition, the Assembly would reaffirm the need of achieving full parity among the six official languages on the Web site, and, in this regard, take note of the Secretary-General's proposal to translate all English materials and databases on the Web site by the respective content-providing offices of the Secretariat into all official languages. It would also request the Secretary-General to report to the Committee at its next session on the most practical, efficient and cost-effective means of implementing this proposal.

Further, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to include in his report to the Committee's next session proposals relating to the designation of a future date by which all supporting arrangements would be in place for the implementation of this concept, and after which parity would continue from that date onwards, as well as to the exemption of specific items from translation on the Web site.

The Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to report to the Committee at its next session on the impact on the functioning of the official document system following implementation of the full multilingual support function and on the feasibility of providing free, public access to the official document system through a link with the United Nations Web site, and express its intention to take a decision on the official document system subscription policy during the main part of its fifty-eighth session.

Also, the Assembly would take note with interest of the electronic mail-based United Nations News Service distributed worldwide by e-mail by the DPI, express appreciation for the plan by the DPI to provide this service in the other four official languages this year and emphasize that extra care needs to be taken to ensure that news-breaking stories and news alerts are accurate, impartial and free of any bias.

By the terms of a draft decision on the increase in the membership of the Committee on Information, the Assembly would decide to increase the membership of that body from 98 to 99 and to appoint Saudi Arabia as a member.

On 31 October, the Committee approved all three drafts without a vote.

Decolonization

Among the drafts before the Committee was a text on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (document A/57/524), by which the Assembly would request the administering Powers concerned to transmit to the Secretary-General under Article 73 e the fullest possible information on political and constitutional developments in the Territories concerned. It would request the Secretary-General to continue to ensure that adequate information is drawn from all available published sources in connection with the preparation of working papers related to the Territories concerned.

The Committee approved the text on 4 October by a recorded vote of 118 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions (France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States).

By a draft resolution on economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/57/525), the Assembly would reiterate that the damaging exploitation and plundering of marine and other natural resources of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, in violation of the relevant United Nations resolutions, is a threat to the integrity and prosperity of those Territories.

The Assembly would decide, by other terms, to follow the situation of the Non-Self-Governing Territories so as to ensure that all economic activities in those Territories are aimed at strengthening and diversifying their economies in the interest of their peoples, including the indigenous populations, and at promoting the economic and financial viability of those Territories.

Also by that text, the Assembly would call upon the administering Powers to ensure that no discriminatory working conditions prevail in the Territories under their administration and to promote in each Territory a fair system of wages applicable to all inhabitants without any discrimination.

Further, the Assembly would urge the administering Powers to take effective measures to safeguard and guarantee the inalienable rights of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories to their natural resources and to establish and maintain control over the future development of those resources. It would also request the administering Powers to take all necessary steps to protect the property rights of the peoples of those Territories.

The Committee approved the draft on 4 October by a recorded vote of 122 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 2 abstentions (France, United Kingdom).

A draft decision on military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration (document A/57/525), would have the Assembly would deplore the continued alienation of land in colonial and Non-Self-Governing Territories, particularly in the small island Territories of the Pacific and Caribbean regions, for military installations. It would take note of the decision of some of the administering Powers to close or downsize some of those military bases in Non-Self-Governing Territories. It would also request the Secretary-General to continue to inform world public opinion of military activities and arrangements in colonial and Non-Self-Governing Territories, which constitute an obstacle to implementing the Decolonization Declaration.

That text was approved by the Committee also on 4 October by a recorded vote of 80 in favour to 41 against, with 1 abstention (Bulgaria).

Also before the Assembly was a draft on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies (document A/57/526). That text would have the Assembly request those bodies, as well as international and regional organizations, to examine and review conditions in each Territory so as to take appropriate measures to accelerate progress in the economic and social sectors of the Territories.

By other terms of the text, the Assembly would request those bodies to provide information on: environmental problems facing the Territories; the impact of natural disasters, beach and coastal erosion and droughts; ways to assist them in fighting drug trafficking, money laundering and other illegal and criminal activities; and the illegal exploitation of the marine resources of the Territories and the need to use them for the benefit of their peoples. The Assembly would encourage the Territories to establish and/or strengthen disaster preparedness and management institutions and policies.

In addition, the Assembly would request the administering Powers to facilitate the participation of appointed and elected territorial representatives in the relevant meetings and conferences of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, so that the Territories may benefit from the related activities of those bodies.

The Committee approved the draft on 4 October by a recorded vote of 81 in favour to none against, with 44 abstentions.

Under the provisions of a draft resolution on offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/57/527), the Assembly would express its appreciation to those Member States that have made scholarships available to the inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories. It would invite all States to make generous offers of study and training facilities to the inhabitants of those Territories that have not yet attained self-government or independence and, wherever possible, to provide travel funds to prospective students.

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would urge the administering Powers to take measures to ensure the widespread and continuous dissemination in the Territories under their administration of information relating to offers and to provide facilitates to enable students to avail themselves of such offers.

The text was approved on 4 October without a vote.

The Assembly also had before it a draft resolution on the question of Western Sahara (document A/57/528 -- draft resolution I). According to text, the Assembly, reaffirming the United Nations responsibility towards the people of Western Sahara as provided for in the Settlement Plan, would reiterate its support for the Secretary-General's further efforts for the organization and supervision, by the United Nations and in cooperation with the Organization of African Unity, of a referendum for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara that is impartial and free of all constraints, in conformity with Security Council resolutions which approved the Settlement Plan.

Further, taking note of the fundamental differences between the parties in implementing the main provisions of the Settlement Plan, the Assembly would support the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to reach a political solution to the dispute, which will provide for self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. In that regard, the Assembly would urge the two parties to continue their cooperation with the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy with a view to reaching a mutually acceptable political solution to the dispute.

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would call upon the parties to cooperate with the ICRC to solve the problem of the fate of people unaccounted for, and call upon the parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to release without delay all those held since the start of the conflict. The Assembly would also request the Special Committee on decolonization to continue to consider the situation in Western Sahara, bearing in mind the implementation of the Settlement Plan and to report to the Assembly at its fifty-eighth session.

The Committee approved that text on 4 October without a vote.

Also before the Committee was a text on the question of New Caledonia (document A/57/528 -- draft resolution II), which would have the Assembly urge all the parties involved, in the interest of all the people of New Caledonia, to maintain, in the framework of the Noumea Accord, their dialogue in a spirit of harmony. [The Noumea Accord was signed on 5 May 1998 by representatives of New Caledonia and the French Government.]

In addition, the Assembly would invite all the parties to continue promoting a framework for the peaceful progress of the Territory towards an act of self-determination in which all options are open and which would safeguard the rights of all New Caledonians according to the letter and spirit of the Noumea Accord, which is based on the principle that it is for the population of New Caledonia to choose how to control its destiny.

By further terms, the Assembly would note positive initiatives aimed at protecting the natural environment of New Caledonia, notably the "Zoneco" operation designed to map and evaluate marine resources within the economic zone of New Caledonia. Acknowledging the close links between New Caledonia and the peoples of the South Pacific, the Assembly would welcome the accession by New Caledonia to observer status in the Pacific Islands Forum.

The draft was approved on 4 October also without a vote.

By the terms of a text on the question of Tokelau (document A/57/528 -- draft resolution III), the Assembly would note Tokelau's desire to move at its own pace towards an act of self-determination. It would also note the special challenge inherent in the situation of Tokelau -- among the smallest of the Non-Self-Governing Territories -- and how the exercise of a Territory's inalienable right to self-determination may be brought closer, as in Tokelau, by meeting that challenge in an innovative way.

In addition, the Assembly would acknowledge Tokelau's goal to return authority to its traditional leadership and its wish to provide that leadership with the necessary support to carry out its functions in the contemporary world. It would also acknowledge progress made towards that goal under the Modern House of Tokelau project, and Tokelau's view that that project is seen by its people as the means to achieving their act of self-determination. Further, the Assembly would acknowledge Tokelau's initiative in devising a strategic economic development plan for the period 2002 to 2004 to advance its capacity for self-government.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 15 October without a vote.

Also before the Assembly was a consolidated text (document A/57/528 -- draft resolution IV) concerning the small Non-Self-Governing Territories of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.

By part A of that draft, the Assembly would reaffirm the inalienable right of the peoples of the Territories to self-determination, including -- if they so wish -- independence. It would also reaffirm that it is ultimately for those people to determine freely their future political status and, in that connection, call upon the administering Powers, in cooperation with the territorial governments, to facilitate political education programmes in the Territories to foster awareness of the right to self-determination.

Also by that text, the Assembly would further reaffirm that in the process of decolonization, there is no alternative to the principle of self-determination, which is also a fundamental human right. The Assembly would stress the importance of it being apprised of the wishes and views of the peoples of the Territories. It would also reaffirm that United Nations visiting missions, in consultation with administering Powers, are an effective means of ascertaining the situation in the Territories.

By further terms, the Assembly would reaffirm the responsibility of the administering Powers to promote the Territories' economic and social development, preserve their cultural identity, and give priority, in consultation with the territorial governments, to strengthening and diversifying their respective economies.

The Assembly would, by further terms, call upon the administering Powers, in cooperation with the territorial governments, to continue to take all necessary measures to counter problems related to drug trafficking, money laundering and other offences. It would also call upon the administering Powers to enter into constructive dialogue with the Special Committee to develop a framework for the implementation of provisions of Article 73 e of the Charter and the decolonization Declaration for the period 2001 to 2010.

The Assembly would, by further terms, call for enhanced dialogue between the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the concerned territorial governments towards achieving the highest standards of financial supervision and request the administering Powers to assist those Territories in the matter.

Part B of the consolidated draft resolution deals with the individual Territories. Regarding American Samoa, the General Assembly would call upon the administering Power to continue to assist the territorial Government in the economic and social development of the Territory, including measures to rebuild financial management capabilities and strengthen other governmental functions of the territorial Government. The Assembly would also welcome the invitation from the territorial Governor to send a visiting mission to the Territory.

By the text on Anguilla, the Assembly would request the administering Power, bearing in mind the views of the Territory's people ascertained through a democratic process, to keep the Secretary-General informed of the wishes and aspirations of the people regarding their future political status. It would call upon the administering Power and all States, organizations and United Nations agencies to continue to assist the Territory in social and economic development.

By the draft on Bermuda, the Assembly would call upon the administering Power to continue to work with the Territory for its socio-economic development. It would also welcome the agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom and the Territory in June 2002 formally transferring the former military base lands to the territorial Government and the provision of financial resources to address some of the environmental problems.

The text on the British Virgin Islands, bearing in mind the vulnerability of the Territory to external factors, would have the administering Power, the specialized agencies and organizations of the United Nations system and all financial institutions continue to provide the Territory with assistance for socio-economic and human resources development.

By the terms of a draft on the Cayman Islands, the Assembly would take note of the adoption of the Legislative Assembly in 2001 of a referendum law, which confirmed that only a referendum makes it possible for the electorate to give a clear judgement on a single issue of immediate relevance and that the Constitution of the Cayman Islands can only be amended through a referendum.

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would welcome the completion of the report of the Constitutional Modernization Review Commission, which conducted an extensive review of the current constitution, with recommended changes, following public discussions with community groups and individuals, pursuant to the recommendations as stated in its “White Paper on Partnership for Progress and Prosperity: Britain and the Overseas Territories”.

Under the provisions of the text relating to Guam, the Assembly would call upon the administering Power to take into consideration the expressed will of the Chamorro people as supported by Guam voters in the plebiscite of 1987 and as provided for in Guam law, and encourage the administering Power and the territorial Government of Guam to enter into negotiations on the matter. It would request the administering Power to work with Guam's Commission on Decolonization for the Implementation and Exercise of Chamorro Self-Determination with a view to facilitating Guam's decolonization and to keep the Secretary-General informed of the progress to that end.

The text on Montserrat would have the Assembly call upon the administering Power, the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as regional and other organizations, to continue to provide urgent emergency assistance to the Territory in alleviating the consequences of the volcanic eruption. The Assembly would welcome support of the Caribbean Community in the construction of housing in the safe zone to alleviate a shortage caused by the environmental and human crisis of the eruption of the Montsoufriere volcano, as well as material and financial support from the international community.

By the text on Pitcairn, the Assembly would request the administering Power to continue its assistance for the improvement of the economic, social, educational and other conditions of the population of the Territory. It would also call upon the administering Power to continue its discussions with the representatives of Pitcairn Island on how best to support their economic security.

By the draft resolution on St. Helena, the Assembly would request the administering Power and relevant regional and international organizations to continue to support the efforts of the territorial Government to address the socio-economic development challenges, including high unemployment and limited transport and communications problems.

According to the text on the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Assembly would call upon the administering Power and the relevant regional and international organizations to continue to provide assistance for the improvement of the economic, social, educational and other conditions of the population of the Territory. It would welcome the first Country Cooperation Framework approved by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for 1998 to 2002, which should, among others, assist in the creation of a national integrated development plan that would put into place procedures for determining the national development priorities over 10 years, with the focus on health, population, education, tourism and socio-economic development.

By the draft text on the United States Virgin Islands, the Assembly would note with interest the entering into force in 2001 of the joint memorandum of cooperation on the exchange of artefacts between the Territory and Denmark, the Territory's former administering Power, as a companion agreement to the 1999 memorandum for the repatriation of archival material from the Danish colonial period. By other terms, the Assembly would take note of the position of the territorial Government opposing the assumption by the administering Power of submerged land in territorial water, having regard to relevant resolutions of the General Assembly on the ownership and control of natural resources, including marine resources, by the people of the Non-Self-Governing Territories. It would also call for the return of those marine resources to the people of the Territory.

The Committee approved the consolidated text on 4 October without a vote.

By a draft decision on the question of Gibraltar (document A/57/528), the Assembly would take note of the fact that, as part of the Brussels negotiating process, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Spain and the United Kingdom hold annual meetings alternately in each country, the most recent of which were held in Barcelona on 20 November 2001 and in London on 4 February 2002. It would urge both Governments to continue their negotiations with the object of reaching a definitive solution to the problem of Gibraltar in light of relevant General Assembly resolutions and in the spirit of the United Nations Charter.

That text was also approved without a vote on 4 October.

By the terms of the draft resolution on dissemination of information on decolonization (document A/57/23, part III, section G -- draft resolution VII), the Assembly would approve the activities in the field of dissemination of information on decolonization undertaken by the DPI and the Department of Political Affairs. It would request the two departments to take into account the suggestions of the Special Committee with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to continue their efforts to take measures through all the media available, including through publications, radio and television, as well as the Internet, to give publicity to the work of the United Nations in the field of decolonization.

According to the terms of a draft resolution on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/57/L.52), the Assembly would reaffirm once again that the existence of colonialism in any form or manifestation, including economic exploitation, is incompatible with the United Nations Charter, the Decolonization Declaration and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

By other terms it would affirm once again its support for the aspirations of the peoples under colonial rule to exercise their right to self-determination, including independence, in accordance with relevant resolutions of the United Nations on decolonization. It would also approve the work programme of the Special Committee on decolonization for 2003.

The Assembly would call upon the administering Powers to cooperate fully with the Special Committee to finalize before the end of 2003 a constructive programme of work on a case-by-case basis for the Non-Self-Governing Territories to facilitate the implementation of the Special Committee's mandate and the relevant decolonization resolutions, including resolutions on specific territories.

Further, the Assembly would welcome the ongoing consultations between the Special Committee and New Zealand, as administering Power for Tokelau, with the participation of representatives of the people of Tokelau, with a view to advancing the programme of work on the question of Tokelau. It would also welcome the report of the United Nations Mission that visited Tokelau in August 2002 at the invitation of New Zealand and Tokelau.

Report of Credentials Committee

Also before the Assembly was a report of the Credentials Committee (document A/57/634), which contains a draft resolution on the credentials of representatives to the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly. That body recommends that the Assembly adopt the draft resolution, by the terms of which it would approve the report of the Credentials Committee and its recommendation to accept the credentials of the Member States concerned.

Action by Assembly

The Assembly first took up the report of the Credentials Committee (document A/57/634), adopting the draft resolution contained in it without a vote.

Speaking in explanation of position after the adoption of the resolution, MAHDI HAMZEHEI (Iran) expressed reservations on certain parts of the report.

FAYSSAL MEKDAD (Syria), Rapporteur of the Special Committee on decolonization, gave an overview of its activities and introduced its report (document A/57/23, parts I, II, and Addendum 1, and III). He said the year under review was marked by an outstanding event for both the Committee and the United Nations. On 1 May 2002, the General Assembly decided to remove East Timor from the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. In September 2002, Timor-Leste joined the United Nations family as a new Member of the Organization. During the period under review, the Special Committee had worked within the framework of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism and its Plan of Action. It focused efforts on two main areas, namely, the review of developments in the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories and developments in work programmes for the Territories.

He said the Committee had emphasized the need for cooperation with the administering Powers for the successful completion of the decolonization process. In that regard, France had participated in the work of the Committee during its consideration of the question of New Caledonia. The United Kingdom and the United States had continued informal consultations with the Committee. The Special Committee was determined to intensify efforts towards the development of work programmes. Nowhere had cooperation been more productive then in the case of Tokelau, where representatives of the administering Power, New Zealand, had fruitful discussions on the work programme for that Territory.

BERNARD TANOH-BOUTCHOUE (Côte d’Ivoire), Vice-Chairman of the Special Committee, then introduced the draft resolution on the implementation of the Decolonization Declaration (document A/57/L.52). He said that despite progress achieved, the decolonization process had not yet been completed. Two years ago, the Second International Decade had begun and 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories were still on the Committee’s list. The Committee had emphasized the need to work together with the Economic and Social Council. The Committee must be able to count on cooperation from the administering Powers. In 2002, the Special Committee had benefited from the constructive cooperation of New Zealand.

He said that Côte d’Ivoire and Fiji had joined the list of co-sponsors of the draft. The text recalled the proclamation of the Second International Decade and reaffirmed that decolonization was incompatible with the United Nations Charter.

The Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), ANDREJ DROBA (Slovakia), introduced that body’s reports.

Taking up a draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation (document A/57/518), the Assembly adopted that text, without a vote.

Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted the draft resolution on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (document A/57/519).

The Assembly then took up the Fourth Committee's reports on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (document A/57/520), which contained seven draft resolutions.

JIMMY OVIA (Papua New Guinea), speaking in explanation of vote before the vote, said his country’s policy on the inalienable rights of people to self-determination remained firm. However, he believed that those inalienable rights must be exercised through peaceful means. For the Middle East region, two States, Israel and Palestine, had a right to exist as sovereign States, side by side and within secure borders. The current state of violence on both sides of the Middle East conflict must not be condoned by the international community. He condemned the violent methods of some among Palestinian population to achieve those aims. He appealed to them to take the peaceful route. He also called for the fair treatment of the Palestinian people by the Israeli army. Many resolutions on the Palestine question and the Middle East were not fair or balanced. They condemned Israel for taking action to protect its civilians to bring to justice those who took the lives of innocent people. The resolution said little or nothing about suicide bombings used to achieve the intended goal of freedom. Dialogue and negotiation was always the best way forward.

Acting without a vote, it then adopted draft resolution II on the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA.

The Assembly then adopted draft resolution III, on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities, by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 3 abstentions (Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands) (Annex II).

It then acted on draft resolution IV, on offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for higher education, adopting it by a recorded vote of 164 in favour to none against, with 1 abstention (Israel) (Annex III).

The Assembly next adopted draft resolution V, on the operations of UNRWA, by a recorded 155 votes in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu) (Annex IV).

By a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Nauru, Solomon Islands), the Assembly then adopted draft resolution VI on Palestine refugees' properties and their revenues (Annex V).

Concluding its action on UNRWA-related texts, the Assembly adopted a draft on the University of Jerusalem "Al Quds" for Palestine refugees by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 5 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu) (Annex VI).

The Committee then took up five draft resolutions contained in the Fourth Committee's report relating to the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/57/521).

It first adopted draft resolution I, on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices, by a recorded vote of 86 in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 66 abstentions (Annex VII).

Turning to draft resolution II, on applicability of the Geneva Convention, the Assembly adopted that draft by a recorded 155 votes in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 3 abstentions (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu)

(Annex VIII).

It then adopted draft resolution III, on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan by a recorded vote of 154 in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 3 abstentions (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu) (Annex IX).

The Assembly then adopted draft resolution IV, on Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 6 abstentions (Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) (Annex X).

The Assembly next took up the Fourth Committee's report on the comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (document A/57/522), which contains a draft resolution on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. The Assembly adopted the draft, acting without a vote.

The Assembly then took up the Fourth Committee's report on questions relating to information (document A/57/523), which contains two draft resolutions and one draft decision.

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the first draft resolution entitled, "Information in the service of humanity".

It then adopted the second draft, "United Nations public information policies and activities", also without a vote.

The Assembly adopted, again without a vote, a draft decision on an increase in the membership of the Committee on Information.

The Assembly next considered a draft resolution contained in document A/57/524, on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter. It adopted that text by a recorded 156 votes in favour to none against, with 8 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, France, Israel, Marshall Islands, Monaco, United Kingdom, United States, Palau) (Annex XII).

It then took up a draft resolution contained in document A/57/525 on economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, adopting the text by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 3 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, United States), with 3 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, France, United Kingdom) (Annex XIII).

By 106 votes in favour to 53 against with 1 abstention (Tonga), it then adopted a draft decision on military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration (Annex XIV).

Taking up a draft resolution on implementation of the DecolonizationDeclaration by the United Nations specialized agencies and associated international institutions (document A/57/526), the Assembly adopted the text by a recorded 111 votes in favour to none against, with 51 abstentions (Annex XV).

The Assembly then adopted a text on offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/57/527) without a vote.

Speaking in explanation of position before action, MATEO ESTREMÉ (Argentina) reiterated Argentina’s full support for the right of self-determination for those under colonialism or foreign occupation. At the same time, however, in the special colonial situation of the Malvinas Islands, the principle of territorial integrity applied in order to prevent any attempt aimed at the disruption of the national unity and territorial integrity of the Argentine Republic. In that connection, he reaffirmed Argentina’s right of sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, that were an integral part of its territorial integrity. The Argentine Government reiterated the terms of its note of 29 October 2001 and 8 October 2002 rejecting the United Kingdom’s White Papers on partnership for peace and prosperity.

Taking up draft resolutions on the implementation of the Decolonization Declaration with regard to specific Territories (documents A/57/528), the Assembly adopted, without a vote, three texts relating to the questions of Western Sahara, New Caledonia and Tokelau.

Also without a vote, it adopted a consolidated text relating to the Non-Self-Governing Territories of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.

The Assembly next adopted a draft decision on the question of Gibraltar without a vote.

Speaking in the exercise of the right of reply, ALISTAIR HARRISON (United Kingdom) said the United Kingdom’s position on the issue was well known and was last set out in detail by the representative of the United Kingdom in his right of reply to the statement made by the Foreign Minister of Argentina in the general debate on 17 September 2002. He reaffirmed to the United Kingdom’s reply to the Argentine note of 29 October 2001. He would reply to the note of 8 October 2002 in due course.

Speaking before the vote on the draft on the dissemination of information on decolonization, WILLIAM H. MARSH (United States) said, unfortunately, he could not support it. By adopting a narrow definition of decolonization, the draft failed to take into account the complex reality of Non-Self-Governing Territories. For the United States, the very term “non-self-governing” seemed inappropriate for those who could establish their own constitution, elect their own public officers, have representation in Washington, D.C., and choose their own economic path. One of the Territories under its administration held elections just last month.

In particular, he said he disagreed with the request for studies on the implication of each of the options of self-determination for the Non-Self-Governing Territories. United Nations’ funding would be better allocated elsewhere. He also disagreed with the contention in the text that the mere presence of military activities and bases in those Territories was harmful to the rights and interests of their people. He did not support the notion that administering Powers did not have the right to take actions in accordance with their national security interests. A single standard should not be applied to each Territory, and he called on delegates to respect the wishes of the individual inhabitants.

ROSS MASUD (Pakistan) said he would have voted in favour of the draft resolution on the occupied Syrian Golan.

It then adopted, by a recorded vote of 154 in favour to 4 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 2 abstentions (France, Netherlands), a draft resolution on dissemination of information on decolonization contained in document A/57/23, part III, section G (Annex XVI).

It was announced that South Africa had been added as a co-sponsor of the draft.

Concluding its action for the morning, the Assembly then adopted, by a recorded vote of 139 in favour to 3 against (Federated States of Micronesia, United Kingdom, United States), with 19 abstentions, a draft resolution entitled "Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples" (document A/57/L.52) (Annex XVII).

Explaining his negative vote on the texts on the implementation of the Declaration on Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and on dissemination of information on decolonization, Mr. HARRISON (United Kingdom) said some elements of the text on implementation of the Declaration were unacceptable. Those included, but were not limited to, operative paragraph 12, which called on the administering Powers to eliminate the remaining military bases in the Non-Self-Governing Territories. That language had been drawn from the military activities decision, which he had also opposed this year.

Regarding the resolution on the dissemination of information on decolonization, he said that the obligation that the text placed on the Secretariat to publicize decolonization issues represented an “unwarranted drain” on the scarce resources of the United Nations.

(annexes follow)

ANNEX I

Vote on Assistance to Palestine Refugees

The draft resolution on assistance to Palestine refugees (document A/57/520-I) was approved by a recorded vote of 158 in favour to 1 against, with 5 abstentions, as follows:

ANNEX II

Vote on Persons Displaced in June 1967

The draft resolution on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (document A/57/520-III) was approved by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 5 against with 3 abstentions, as follows:

ANNEX IV

Vote on UNRWA Operations

The draft resolution on the operation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (document A/57/520-V) was approved by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 5 against with 4 abstentions, as follows:

ANNEX VI

Vote on University of Jerusalem ‘Al-Quds’

The draft resolution on the University of Jerusalem “Al-Quds” for Palestine refugees (document A/57/520-VII) was approved by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 5 against, with 4 abstentions, as follows:

ANNEX VII

Vote on Special Committee on Israeli Practices

The draft resolution on the Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People (document A/57/521-I) was approved by a recorded vote of 86 in favour to 6 against, with 66 abstentions, as follows:

ANNEX VIII

Vote on Applicability of 1949 Geneva Convention

The draft resolution on the applicability of the 1949 Geneva Convention to the occupied territories (document A/57/521-II) was approved by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 6 against, with 3 abstentions, as follows:

The draft resolution on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (document A/57/524) was approved by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to none against, with 8 abstentions, as follows:

The draft resolution on economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/57/525) was approved by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 3 against, with 3 abstentions, as follows:

The draft decision on military activities by colonial Powers on Territories under their administration (document A/57/525) was approved by a recorded vote of 106 in favour to 53 against, with 1 abstention, as follows:

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